Davids Taxi

2010-10-16
New drink driving
As part of the Road Traffic Bill 2009, the blood alcohol limit for SPSV ope...

2010-10-16
Nine-year rule
On renewal in 2011, all standard hackney and taxi licences can be associa...

2010-09-08
No Increase in Taxi Fares following Review by Commission for Taxi Regulation
Following a public consultation and review of the existing fare structure t...

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New drink driving
2010-10-16

As part of the Road Traffic Bill 2009, the blood alcohol limit for SPSV operators will be reduced to 20mg from September next year. Under the Bill, the penalties for operating an SPSV with a blood alcohol level greater than 20mg range from a â‚¬200 fine and a three-month driving ban to an automatic driving ban of at least one year.

Nine-year rule
2010-10-16

On renewal in 2011, all standard hackney and taxi licences can be associated only with vehicles that are less than nine years old. The age of the vehicle is calculated from the exact date on which it was first registered (day, month and year). If the vehicle was imported, the age is calculated from the date on which it was originally registered in its country of origin. You should check this date carefully (on the Vehicle Licensing Certificate) â€“ the year shown on the vehicleâ€™s number plate is not a sufficiently accurate indicator of the vehicleâ€™s exact age. From 2012 all standard hackney and taxi licences will also require a vehicle that meets requirements for luggage capacity and interior dimensions. You should always check the Commissionâ€™s model report database before purchasing a vehicle. For more details see the Commissionâ€™s Information Guide G6 â€“ Changing your vehicle.

No Increase in Taxi Fares following Review by Commission for Taxi Regulation
2010-09-08

Following a public consultation and review of the existing fare structure the Commission for Taxi Regulation has announced that there will be no increase in taxi fares at this time. The decision not to increase taxi fares took into account submissions from the public and industry stakeholders, as well as the prevailing economic conditions. The taxi industry is now highly competitive and many operators are offering discounts on the maximum fare to customers in order to increase trade. Given the economic downturn and the consequent reduction in demand for taxi services as well as the existence of these discounts there was no reasonable case in favour of reducing the maximum fare. Similarly, an increase in the maximum fare could result in a further reduction in demand.

A strong response was received to the Commissionâ€™s consultation process which concluded in August. This included:

More than 300 submissions from individual SPSV operators
Joint submissions representing a further 500 operators
Submissions from all the major industry representative bodies
Direct consultation with a number of other national and regional industry representative groups
Consultation with policy stakeholders
A survey of over 1,000 drivers on the fare options and operating costs
A survey of over 1,000 consumers.

It continues to be an option for a driver to offer consumers a discount.

The Commission reviews taxi fares every two years to ensure that the national maximum taxi fare strikes a balance betweenensuring a fair return to operators and encouraging usage. The next scheduled review of the fare will be in 2012.

The Commission for Taxi Regulation would like to advise taxi licence holders that some models of taximeters will need to be reprogrammed before the next Fare Review in 2012. The programmed public holiday dates on these taximeters will run out sometime between the 1st of January 2011 and the end of August 2012. We would therefore advise all taxi licence holders to contact their meter installer, if they are using one of the following makes and models of taximeter:

Make	Model
Argo	1150.02
Sheriff	Ultima/Wayfarer
Aquila	T2
Taxitronic	Tx30
Taxi licence holders are reminded of the requirement to have a meter installed and programmed with the current fare and sealed at all times.